Health tips for international travel: what you need to know about insurance and medicine

Exploring a modern country can be invigorating, but that excitement comes with risks. Majority almost 100 million Americans who went abroad in 2023 struggled with nothing more than stomach discomfort or a chilly. But what happens if you get injured or ailing? How do you find a doctor and who pays for your care?

These tips can assist you prepare for your trip, navigate health care systems abroad, and reduce the risk of getting stuck with a huge bill.

Not all medicines are available or welcomed abroad

Some medicines may be hard to find abroad. That’s why it’s wise to pack over-the-counter medications for common conditions such as traveler’s diarrheahe said Dr. Lin H. Chenwho directs Mt Auburn Hospital Travel Medicine Centrein Cambridge, Massachusetts. Store prescription medications in your original packaging to prove that they are yours. For everyone pre-existing conditions requiring treatment, it is worth having a letter from a doctor with you.

Some countries have restrictions on pharmaceutical products. For example, Adderall is not allowed Japan. Additionally, some medications have different names abroad, such as acetaminophen (the vigorous ingredient in Tylenol), which is called acetaminophen in many countries. Check individually US Embassy on the Department of State website, where you can find information about medications you can take with you, especially if you need to take them regularly.

Buy enough insurance for the worst-case scenario

Check your health insurance before leaving. “Most health insurers do not cover international medical benefits or they are often restricted,” he said Rupa MehtaCEO of Squaremouth, which runs a digital travel insurance marketplace and offers policies.

Private insurance companies in the U.S. typically do not cover most medical expenses abroad, Ms. Mehta explained. The same applies to Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your supplier; some may make exceptions to what they will cover.

Consider purchasing travel medical insurance, which provides extensive coverage for expenses such as medical care, trip cancellation and evacuation. Rates for this type of insurance typically range from 5 to 10 percent of the total trip amount, Ms. Mehta said. So for a $5,000 trip, insurance could cost anywhere from $250 to $500.

If traveling to a developing country, make sure your policy covers medical evacuation. “If it’s something like a ruptured spleen and you’re somewhere remote, they’ll probably tell you to arrange some kind of evacuation,” Dr. Chen said. Without medical insurance, you could end up paying $100,000 or more, Ms. Mehta said.

To find a doctor, apply online tools or ask your local doctor

If you need to see a doctor while abroad, start by visiting a hotel or Airbnb host. You can too search by country on the US Consulate website, then select “Medical Assistance” under “US Citizens.” In some places, such as France, the US embassy is on the list English-speaking providers and hospitals by region. Local pharmacies can also assist you quickly locate a doctor.

Most travel insurance providers, e.g Allianz Global AND World Nomadsmake lists of doctors available to policyholders. GeoBlue also provides internal telemedicine providers and member clinic listings.

In many countries, low-cost (starting around $20) urgent care services (in-person and online) are also available, such as SA doctorswhich has clinics throughout Europe, as well as in Turkey, Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand.

National healthcare is not always free

If you are an American traveling to a country with national health care, such as Canada or the United Kingdom, you will most likely still be charged for medical care even if you have insurance.

However, there are exceptions. Dr. Chen recalled a message from a traveler who was treated for hepatitis A while vacationing in Denmark. The fees were “paid in full at no cost to the patient,” she said.

On the other hand, Lenny Mauricio (42), a business owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, traveled to Colombia in April 2023 without insurance. Mr Mauricio needed stitches and minor plastic surgery after a photo fell on his head in his Airbnb. The farmer found a specialist to assist him, but the care and medication cost him $1,500.

Hospitals are not the same everywhere

“There are huge differences in hospitals abroad,” Dr. Chen said. For example, hospitals abroad will usually have wards (several beds in one immense room) rather than individual patient rooms, and it may also be necessary to provide outside meals to hospitalized patients, she explained.

Amanda Shor, 37, an accountant from Seattle, became seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting and fever while traveling in Vietnam in September 2023. She was admitted to hospital for three days in disturbing conditions. She remembered there were cockroaches on the walls and mud on the floor, and became concerned when she saw staff using needles in unsanitary conditions. In many developing countries, private clinics may offer better conditions and more care options than public hospitals; U.S. Embassy staff, hotel staff, and other locals can refer you to such a clinic.

Foreign hospitals may also have different visitor policies. You may consider bringing copies of legal documents such as your marriage license to show proof of your relationship if you are in a same-sex partnership (but remember that many countries still do not recognize same-sex partnerships; check ILGA world map before traveling). And if you are a parent whose child has a different surname, you may want to consider bringing a copy of the birth certificate.

Finally, if you are hospitalized abroad, the American Embassy can do this notify your familyassist with a money transfer for medical expenses and to visit you cases in a traumatic and critical condition. Before you travel abroad, consider joining Smart Traveler Registration Program to stay in touch with the US Embassy just in case.

Find more travel tips in our collection Journey 101 tips and hacks.